Loaner weapon contest

[Swordbrother Nova]

Indeed, $50 is touch on the pricey side.

[winterrose]

Akuragano's idea was that each individual who participated would purchase the materials to make the set number of loaner weapons, use obnoxious colors to make sure they stay with the group and the only money the group is fronting is for the prize. From what I understand, the sword and shield he's thinking are pretty coveted even by people who make their own nice weapons.

[Vors Nymphkilla]

Free pass to Winter Event sounds really good. It would be more of a prize for the people who chip in money together and only spend about ~$10-12 bucks on materials. In their case they might actually make some profit out of it, instead of making $20 worth of weapons for a $15 ticket to the event. Its like paying a dollar for a 50 cent toy.

And I see what you guys mean about just making blues. Its nice haveing a spare shield or 2 thats easy to repair if it breaks or that can just be replaced altogether, but i think we'll leave them out of the contest. People can donate loaner shields on their own. Do we want to limit it to just swords or leave it open to any blue (axe, club, sword, flail, etc)?

[Izad]

I dont think axes are all that easy to make at all. I know a lot of people that have tried and failed at it cause the problem comes when they try to shape the blade and some of it isnt actually attached to the core.

I say stick to swords and clubs. they are probably the easiest to make.

But for every person who enters, we should give them a paper with a copy of the rules for weapons in general and specifically blue weapons.
*not a copy of the entire rule handbook (that would be to much paper and a waste) i think just the every weapon part and the blue weapon part. Copy and paste into a wordpad or something and print that off a few times. Each person participating in the contest should get a copy. So its fair to them that they know the rules of it. I dont know if i would worry about giving this to veterans, since they have made their own before and a lot of us vets know the rules for weapon building already.

[Vors Nymphkilla]

axes arent that difficult if you dont do anything fancy. mine is just sandwich style.
i like the idea of setting up an organized list of the guidelines. I personally think that they should be made with carpet tape so we dont have to throw away any unrepairable Dap weapons. Its best just to give everyone the list just so there can be no confusion and people dont complain that they dont think they need it when their weapons show that they do need the guidelines in front of them

[Izad]

so all i think we should supply to them is a list of materials and where they get get each one and a copy of the weapon guidelines.

and i agree with the carpet tape part. if they make one that doesnt pass, someone could just take it home and do a quick repair job.

[Swordbrother Nova]

I've repaired dap weapons before. What's with the hating on dap?

[Izad]

I just think its a pain in the ass to repair a dap'ed weapon. and at least if they use carpet tape it will be a bit cheaper for them.

[Swordbrother Nova]

A fair point.

[Vors Nymphkilla]

the tape is cheaper and a much faster repair. i'm working on a clear and concise list of the requirements and rules for the contest. im gonna discuss it with admins first before anything is official. we're planning thus far for the contest to end the first week of next semester. That gives people all winter break to work on weapons.

[galatian]

Vashala, Galatian, here talking at ya.

My group back home has around 50 loaner swords that they've just made over the past summer. Brand new. and really good quality (atari Gwenadian style build: light, fast, and good manueverability).

Their genious behind the curtain is that they hold regular weapon smithing sessions for those that really want to make their own stuff. Normally this is what happens, and it follows pretty much what you guys were thinking:

Make an announcement at practice that RIGHT AFTER practice anyone wishing to make a new blade can come along for a evening of weapon smithing.

They normally go to walmart and buy materials. the people that want swords (or weapons, shields etc) pitch in cash or split the credit with cards. Then they return to Sais House (one of the Tetrarchs' houses) and begin STEP BY STEP construction of the loaners.

ALL of the participating people will make around four swords or two shields, two spears, arrows- bla. BUT they don't get to take their weapon with them. Instead it stays as a loaner, but they get to pick a sword that is considered "theirs" on the field. That way if they don't show that day, the sword will remain for another.

it works. they've done it for three years now. Just a suggesty.

also, Nova- for shield straps if you use velcro straps they become a one size fits most.

[Swordbrother Nova]

Is there a specific brand of velcro? I know some aren't as strong as others.

We were also think that each month that we don't host a bi monthly battle to have a realm get together where we can all repair or make new weapons.

[Vors Nymphkilla]

i know that just a big community bag where all weapons belong to the realm wont work, but its good input at least. Urk Kuldar requires that all of our weapons be used exclusively by the unit so all my unit's weapons would have to be seperate, and i know House Dregoth is the same. Its also an issue of finding a place to store everyone's weapons and transporting them around.

i think we just need the loaner bag of blues and just tell people to come to the bimonthly weapons builds